[r_nairtvm]

Originally Posted by aadithsince1980

Well said and actually true, it really helps when family and friends understand you. Infact, after a year, my wifey is getting to terms with my my craze for wheels, and infact did gift me a dainese jacket for my birthday Now I guess it's time to coax her to accompany me on a trip to ladakh

Aadith,

I thought your generation kids were miles ahead of us. But at least in this resspect, I think my generation was miles ahead

I got married in 1986 Nov 9th. We left Trivandrum on a South India Trip on my RD 350 on the 18th and that was our Honeymoon Trip. Since then I believe my wife is more hooked to my RD tham I am.

And you say it took one year for your wife to come in to terms with your craze for wheels . Way behind !!!

Nothing like a long bike ride to get your wife hooked to biking as well - be careful though as she may want to ride it and then you will have to go for one more (bike I mean)

DKG, as usual fantastic writup. You know when it comes to Bikes and Cars Mom's are boys best friends.

My Mom was living with me here in Dubai until she passed away exacly one year ago to the month. She always enjoyed rides in all new types of cars and bikes here in Dubai.

Ages ago in 1985 when I was going in for my RD 350, all were trying to discourage me. But Mom said "go for it, if that is your dream and if you can afford it" (I really don't think she had seen the Rd Adverts - For those who dare to live yheir dreams). This she said inspite of being widowed recently then, and me being her only child.

Three cheers to your Mom. I am sure she will see the Cayman in your hands!

Did you get your Harley ?

Best Regards and drive/Ride Safe

Ram

[DKG]

Originally Posted by r_nairtvm

Did you get your Harley ?

After 30 years taking delivery tomorrow

Hyderabad is a city I love very dearly and I can't tell you what a joy it would be to enjoy this beloved city as I am engulfed by that glorious sound !!

[DKG]

20km rides became 50. Soon 50 km rides became 100. The bulk of our Sunday morning rides were the 100 km rides. A significant chunk of the rides over several years were the 200 km rides. And to top it all we had some amazing 350 and 430 km rides. The last ones were to Srisailam and back and overnighters.

I must relate a rather comic story about how the Srisailam rides came about. I had been there about four decades ago as a small boy and had some idea of the beauty of the place. So I started talking about it to the group and managed to get them to agree to atleast going a little distance along that route before we actually plan a trip.

Now somehow I goofed up on the turn and in all the excitement we ended up going down the wrong road quite a distance. Soon the road narrowed down to a single lane track. It then gave way to huge potholes. By now I was pretty sure I was on the wrong track. Guys behind me were totally clueless as they simply followed me. The VFR is a super comfortable bike so despite the rough road I went on and on. Some guys on the hardcore machines were crying as it was getting painful. Eventually I managed to get them to Jadcherla through village roads and ended up at a dhaba for breakfast. Ironically everyone kind of enjoyed the adventure and we had a great ride back home via the Bangalore highway post breakfast

[DKG]

Having goofed on the turn I was even more determined to take the group to Srisailam and finally one Saturday we all met at my home early morning. All our bags were put into a Tata ace that was to follow us to Srisailam with luggage.

And guess what happens !! rusty after being out of India for 14 years I end up taking the Nagarjunasagar road instead. We reached Ibrahimpatnam and sadly one of our friends had a fall in a village trying to avoid a kid. He insisted we ride on claiming he was fine (later after we returned to Hyderabad we realised to our horror that he had broken a collar bone and still rode back alone !!) and as his bike had some damage he wanted to head back home. Somehow we didn't realise he kept the pain he was feeling from the fall to himself as he didn't want to spoil the trip. Fooled by his assurance he was okay we agreed that he ride back and the rest of the group continued to Srisailam after correcting the route

Once we reached Srisailam ghats and eventually the lovely town the magic of the place ensured everyone had a blast relaxing at a lovely cottage overlooking the dam waters.

It was one of the finest trips we did and the fun we had all evening as we lounged in comfort with great food was most memorable. Stories and laughter !! heady mix

the group meets at my home early morning.







enroute we stop for breakfast at a roadside dhaba. This became our defacto stop for breakfast enroute to Srisailam on future rides too.




stopping at Dindi to enjoy the lake from the bund and take some group pictures and the fabulous machinery !














as we crossed mannanur and entered the forest roads, the boys had a blast on winding roads. The peace and calm of a forest won over and everyone was in a happy and relaxed mood and talk of the accident earlier faded. This is at Farahabad, Tiger country !! The Nallamalla forest, home to Srisailam is India's largest forest. Its almost an 80 km ride from the edge to the heart which is the river and the town of Srisailam. It stretches almost the same amount beyond Srisailam too !!

[gthang]

Great band of bikes and bikers. Hope you guys enjoy many more rides together.

I couldnt help but notice that your VFR is still sporting white on black registration mark. Is that not illegal in India? I dont agree with disregard of laws in any manner. Surely it cant be that hard to change number plates.

Cheers.

Ride Safe.

[DKG]

Originally Posted by gthang

your VFR is still sporting white on black registration mark. Is that not illegal in India?

Good observation ! These pictures are a couple of years old and for a few years now the VFR has the regular black on white plates.

[aadithsince1980]

We left Trivandrum on a South India Trip on my RD 350 on the 18th and that was our Honeymoon Trip.

Mr Nair, I really envy you . Infact you remind me of a really close friend of mine who drove ooty-mysore-manglore-goa and back for his honeymoon in his brand new corolla. And here's the best part...he learnt to drive just two days before his wedding. Talk about self confidence

Anyway i hope to do a trip like yours sometime soon with wifey, maybe to celebrate our anniversary!

[r_nairtvm]

Deepak,

In one of the pictures on post 33, there is an RD 350. Seems to be a very well maintained bike. Owner any one you know? Is he in TBHP ? If not if you know him well enough, give an intro. RD 350 and its owners are always very close to my biking heart.

An oddity in the group there but any way that was the first SBK in india

Best Regards and Drive/Ride Safe

Ram

[Haroon]

Thanks for sharing your passion DKG. Really nice to see you guys are indeed putting your bikes to good use. And the VFR as always looks very charming.

Ride safe.

[DKG]

Originally Posted by r_nairtvm

Owner any one you know? Is he in TBHP ? If not if you know him well enough, give an intro. RD 350 and its owners are always very close to my biking heart.

An oddity in the group there but any way that was the first SBK in india

Owner is Siddhu, know him very well. BTW if you are a RD fan I have another friend Sandeep whose RD's are drool worthy too. There's a sizeable RD fan club in Hyderabad and they seem to maintain their bikes to very high standards.

[r_nairtvm]

Originally Posted by DKG

Owner is Siddhu, know him very well. BTW if you are a RD fan I have another friend Sandeep whose RD's are drool worthy too. There's a sizeable RD fan club in Hyderabad and they seem to maintain their bikes to very high standards.

Deepak,

I am one of the very few RD owners in India who still has the Rajdoot RD 350 they bought abosolutely new from the Escorts show rooms and is still having the bike.

My 1985 LT is with me since 21st March 1985. In pickled state in my house in Trivandrum, when I am away in Dubai. Since new she has only about 58 K on the odo. I left for Gulf in 1992 and take her out for about 2 months every year when I am in India.

Have a look in my garage if you like - she is there (also in my sugnature here)

Another owner like me I know is Mr. Upendra Lakshmaneswar of Pune, who has his current bike with him since 1984 - I think 1st lot off Escorts plant in Faridabad ditectly.

Next time around in HYD will certainly try and hook up with them

Best Regards & Drive/Ride Safe

Ram

[ku69rd]

Originally Posted by r_nairtvm

Deepak,

I am one of the very few RD owners in India who still has the Rajdoot RD 350 they bought abosolutely new from the Escorts show rooms and is still having the bike.

My 1985 LT is with me since 21st March 1985. In pickled state in my house in Trivandrum, when I am away in Dubai. Since new she has only about 58 K on the odo. I left for Gulf in 1992 and take her out for about 2 months every year when I am in India.

Another owner like me I know is Mr. Upendra Lakshmaneswar of Pune, who has his current bike with him since 1984 - I think 1st lot off Escorts plant in Faridabad ditectly.

Ram

Ram,
The bike still looks awesome and 58K means quite less compared to the age of the bike, Guess apart from changing the indicators everything else looks in pristine condition. Nice stuff you got there congrats

Would you have the contact details of Upendra or would he be on Team BHP Portal?

[JVH]

Another epic thread on the young riding days and continuing the legacy. Thanks for sharing with us those memorable moments. I loved the way you described the various bikes you tested and the follow-up discussions with your friend/dealer. True biking stuff

And Congrats on the Harley! Looking forward to the ownership report.

[sammyboy]

Phenomenal thread for spectacular experiences Absolutely loved reading it sir. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[rdna]

Excellent write up there! You have lead us through your memories and definitely can make the desires strong of anyone who yearns for an SBK. Honda's Blackbird and esp. the early 2004 models of the Fireblade got me hooked to SBKs. Would definitely would like to own a Fireblade in my life

In a couple of photos, isn't it Nagachaithanya(son of telugu actor Nagarjuna) in the group? No wonder he looked composed riding without hands in the song sequence of the movie Ye Maya Chesave